our beliefs

[H222G981]

How come I have to accept and support what other people believe when they sit and berate me for not supporting or siding with what they believe in? 

 

I feel like some times I become the center of their anger towards something they don't like. 

 

Often if something is said about either politics or religion. Some times I find that I'm on the crap end of a debate with 3 or more people. For instance. I don't always agree with someone of a different religion or something political. I know my words aren't always the wisest or chosen wisely. I normally am getting mouthed at or having my self esteem beat down by other people. Some times they tell me that I am narrow minded, stupid and vain. This is why now a days I turn away from such discussions. I don't see my beliefs as bad or harmful, just unpopular with some people. 

 

It seems some times it unavoidable to share a belief with someone when you're seen as become part of that belief. Its hard for them to be around me because apparently. I'm now something that is against everything they believe. This is why I just keep a majority of what I am as far as beliefs go in a closet. Honestly I believe in God and not everyone believes in that. Yes...some lines I'm not willing to cross or agree with people on. Do I hold it against them? no. 

 

That's not fair when I get persecuted for something that I want to believe in. Why should my friendship with that person be persecuted because I don't always agree? Why do we have to be segregated by our beliefs and life styles? Where is the harmony and the peace? 

 

It seems with some friends. Once I tell them and they change what they think. I really regret ever saying it to them. I feel like those words cost me my friend and that sucks. 

 

Why do people say one thing, but than their actions say other wise? 

 

I mean, yeah. Some times I get upset by what other's believe and some times I need to take a day or a week for my mind to accept it. But I don't just burn the bridge and say to hell with you.

 

It just doesn't seem fair. 

Edited March 17, 2015 by Jupiter Knight

[Shin Mefilas]

People are very strange creatures my friend. They are very intelligent beings but many seem to feel they need to be part of a group that accepts and agrees on the same things and treat something or someone different as something to be avoided, wrong or to be changed.

 

I'm an Athirst and being open about that has not always had good results. Some people I work with find it weird and try to tell me what I think is wrong. Even some members of my own family haven't taken that news without telling me I can't be an athirst or that I should not say I am one. However in my case these episodes were resolved without any real problems afterwards, for the most part.

 

Know with that being said I always respected what other people believe, they have a right believe what they wish. I never draw the line in the sand unless what they believe is not right from my moral stand point (i.e endorsing segregation, murder, indoctrination without choice etc) or state that what I think as wrong and try to push me into believing what they do. 

Edited March 17, 2015 by Lord Frieza

[*Jess♥]

very often, somebodies beliefs are intricately tied to their self worth.

if a person believes they are a precious child of god, and somebody tries to tell them that god doesn't exist, it's like that person is trying to take away their entire reason for living.  It's like an attack to the core of their being. an effort to invalidate their existence.

this is just one example of one scenario, but there will be a lot of parallels.

 

I try to find common ground and find reasons for agreeing with a persons belief. I would take their words and try and find parallel words with the same meaning that fit my own beliefs. language is so malleable and ideas are so nebulous, we can often agree with somebody even when we use different vocabulary. for example, what EXACTLY does the word 'god' actually mean? different people will give a different definition.

[durendal]

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but puny words will never hurt me.  These are the words I live by when I do not wholly agree with another person.

 

Those who cannot accept other peoples opinion and try to push their own beliefs unto others are narrow minded individual who has no sense of self being.  You are better off without these people.  Take my advice, find new friends.  Friends are individuals with like minds who associate with each others.

[H222G981]

I always end up staying away from the more controversial conversations. Religious, political, gender based, gay rights , women's rights ,racial discussions, you name it. The whole deal. I always feel like there really isn't a right answer in those debates. Just a matter of opinion and that sucks. 

 

I have the best intentions. I mean the best in the world for everyone. I'm not out in the world to cram what I know down people's throats. I don't have to, there's plenty of other people doing that. 

 

Thing is, I have no idea what to say. What do you say in a debate when everyone sits there and questions and berates what you were taught growing up? When most of the people just don't agree with you period?

 

From time to time. My answers are acceptable to some. But I feel like my beliefs are respected by some. Just not popular in today's world. 

 

I almost feel like they're trying to verbally convert you. 

 

Its kind of depressing. 

 

When I was younger, I just sat there and argued with people, and I began to realize that they  weren't listening to me, and I was refusing to listen to them. But thats all I do today now is listen to people and disagree. I have to pick my battles. I hate that. It sucks so bad.  

 

It also makes me feel like a coward in some sense, that I'm not entering a race because I know I can't win. So, its like the discussion was over before it started for me. I have nothing to add or bring to it. 

 

I realize today, that I don't know those things. Perhaps I don't want to know about what other people discuss in the real world. Perhaps what I need, is a fantasy world on things that I do know about. It may not matter. It may not be important to a majority of people.

 

But if it gets me away from the negative things in political, current events and religious debate. I think I can be happier. I actually blame myself for getting into those debates. I can be my own worst enemy. I realize that now. I set myself up when I let my emotional feelings get in the way and drive right into it with someone. I feel like maybe my pride and beliefs in these debates are my weakness. 

 

The best thing I can do is just back away. 

 

Sucks, but I feel its what is best. 

 

I've sort of decided that I'll leave that stuff to the world and there is nothing I can do about it. I can't change the fact that bad things happen and some people think they are good things of if people think that America is going to start a 3rd world war or the fact that everyone's views on Obama being president is mixed. Its either I go along to get along or don't. Or what about the debate about why things in the Old Testament no longer matter in the New Testament. 

 

The point is, I'm not making a difference in these debates. I'm not fooling anyone. I'm just going back and forth with some one get no where. 

 

I realize that I should just be happy for them that they believe in something good, rather than question that. I feel bad for the person however if they're beliefs are centered around killing people and are okay with abortions.

 

I can't change their minds. Only they can do that.

 

So this is why I feel my beliefs don't matter in the real world. If I fight it, I just get beat down verbally by people. 

[Shin Mefilas]

Ok this is really well sad to hear.

You should not let the fact that people wont listen to what you have say, stone wall you, feel the need to shout you down or make you feel bad. Believe me most of us have been there and it sucks but dont take it that it means there something wrong with you.

Beliefs do matter because they are part of us and make us who we are although we must temper them reason and understanding.

Do not feel that backing down makes you weak or your point invalid, you will never be able to get through to some people or help them understand your views because they have decided before hand that they dont want to know. You cant help these people and there's nothing wrong with admitting that.

Now maybe sometimes you come on a bit strong, that can sometimes make people feel that your being pushy even though thats the last thing on your mind. The best thing you can do is try to catch yourself before this happens and/or apologis for doing so. Once again this isent being weak, its showing that your passionate but also reasonable.

The best thing you can do my friend is be true to yourself.

Edited April 19, 2015 by Darkman

[*V Guyver]

People define themselves by what they believe. Some are capable of changing their views, others can never stand being wrong. When an scientist claimed there was no afterlife, one reply was "that is unacceptable to me". 

How you handle all this is different from one person to the next. There is no true correct answer to getting along with people. Friends and relatives are a bit trickier than strangers, with strangers you have no obligation to continue knowing them. A friend or relative is different in that you often want those bonds to remain. 

Me, I still argue. I try to point out logic statistics and whatnot... well at least until I learn it's a wall I'm talking too. I also can't stand blatant lies and misinformation being spread around for personal gain. I often end up fighting one friend online on facebook because he throws around so much propaganda out that it feels so wrong that I have to speak out and try to prevent it's spread. Which is silly because I know people will believe it anyways, they wont change, and that they probably feel that they have to spread that information because it's in their beliefs. 

Most people try to surround themselves with like minded people, and it's to precisely avoid this problems, to have friends who wont turn on you on an idea, and instead support you. On the other hand, having a friend with different views can be a great thing too, because if you are surrounded by yes men and like minded people 24/7, your ego might explode and you might not realize a mistake you are making because you didn't view it from a different angle. 

So what do we all have to do? Figure it out ourselves as to what makes us happy. I haven't succeeded yet, maybe you all have found something a bit more workable?

[*Jess♥]

I was thinking about this the other day and came to the conclusion that, the only thing I can possibly know for sure is "I am". that is it. anything beyond that can be falsified in some way or another. just like in the matrix.